24th Annual Salute to Framingham Honorees Announced

UPDATED: Originally posted at 4:30 p.m. Updated at 7:10 p.m. to add photo credit.

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In 1992, the Salute to Framingham was created to honor individuals for their outstanding commitment and service to Framingham’s youth. These honorees join a select group of people who have made a real difference in the lives of the youth of Framingham.

On Thursday, March 31st, the Salute to Framingham will honor Alicia & David Blais and Kathy Davies O’Leary.

When Alicia & David Blais opened the Foodie Café in Framingham, their initial goal was to help bring a sense of community with affordable “home-cooked” food. Through the people they met, however, they quickly became interested in the daunting task of ending hunger in the largest town in American. They wanted to determine how to feed Framingham’s needy and under-served, especially the children. Thus the focus of the Foodie Café changed and Daniel’s Table was born.

Initially, they put their profits towards hosting a monthly free dinner for anyone who wanted to come. When they realized those who needed the meals most could not get to the café, they purchased a small food trailer to bring to low-income neighborhoods in Framingham, where they began with serving 200 free hot meals per month. Through their tireless efforts and continued community support, they have been able to provide over 2000 free hot meals per month – making them one of the largest free hot meal providers in Framingham. Their goal is eradicate hunger in
Framingham, providing a free hot meal to anyone in need.

David tells us, “Hunger is just the first giant we can slay. As individuals and as a community, we have the power to overcome any challenges that stand in the way of making Framingham a great and blessed town.”

Alicia echoes David’s belief, saying, “Ending hunger is not rocket science. It’s difficult but hardly impossible.”

Alicia has been involved in nonprofit work most of her adult life. As one of the founders of Daniel’s Table, she brings a unique level of awareness and “motherly love” to their clients. Her commitment to ending hunger in Framingham is unwavering, as is her desire to insure they provide their services with dignity and compassion. For the past 22 years, David has been involved in community awareness programs and social issues. As the “visionary” of Daniel’s Table, he brings his creativity and resolve to solving hunger in Framingham while keeping a watchful eye on future challenges and opportunities.

Kathy Davies O’Leary has been an active volunteer in Framingham for over 15 years. She is described by those who work with her as being knowledgeable, insightful and energetic; someone who brings charm and humor to each discussion while remaining focused on the goal at hand.

O‘Leary has volunteered in the schools for over 15 years, even after returning to work. Her volunteer efforts have included being an elementary school math tutor, a kindergarten assistant, a member of the Creative Arts Council and a PTO officer, including Vice-President at Walsh Middle and President at Dunning Elementary.

At Framingham High School, O‘Leary has volunteered in the Booster Room, for the Drama Company and was an inaugural member of the Flyer Marching Band Parent Pit Crew.

For the last decade, her focus has been philanthropic work that benefits the whole community.

O’Leary has been the president of the Framingham Education Foundation (FEF) for nine years. FEF provides grant funding to Framingham Public School teachers and staff, pre-school through high school, who are developing dynamic and relevant approaches to delivering curriculum. In her role as president, she takes an active part in the grants program, the annual Town-Wide Spelling Bee, the Smith Poetry Contest and the Robotics Expo. This position is directly tied to the needs of the student and teachers in the Framingham Public Schools and she has devoted countless hours towards this endeavor. Many teachers and hundreds of students have benefitted from her efforts to provide resources for enriching educational opportunities across the district.

She is a 2010 graduate of the MetroWest Leadership Academy and is also on the board of directors of three other community organizations: Impact Framingham, Framingham Community Theater and the Framingham Public Access Corporation, operator of Access Framingham TV and the Framingham Education Channel. All three organizations provide resources and opportunities to strengthen the Framingham community and none would exist without the significant contributions of volunteers.

What makes her unique in any volunteer work she undertakes is her inclusive manner -- always making sure that anyone new is made to feel a part of the group and ensuring everyone is involved in some way. O’Leary is always the “go to” person for any organization in Framingham looking to support youth in the community. She is always willing to help and is a wonderful role model for giving back to organizations that support the youth of Framingham. She believes in strong and vibrant schools and a strong and vibrant town, and that you cannot have one without the other.

The Salute to Framingham will take place on Thursday, March 31st at 5pm at the Sheraton Framingham Ballroom.

If you would like to purchase tickets, or for more information about the Salute to Framingham, please visit our website at www.salute-to-framingham.com.

All proceeds from the Salute to Framingham benefit the Framingham High School Foundation which supports the extracurricular Activities, Arts, and Athletics at Framingham High School.

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Photos by Abbey Roy